It only takes looking at how much time the average American spends in the kitchen to realize just how important it is to have the right gadgets. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend much more time in the kitchen than in any other room, or in any other activity on an average day. Knowing this, you will want to have these five kitchen gadgets you really shouldn’t live without.

1. Kitchen Sink Sprayer

You never realize just how important that kitchen sprayer is until you’ve had to live without one. Not only are they useful for rinsing plates prior to placing them in the dishwasher, but you can also use them to fill inordinately tall pots and jugs. However, if you have a sprayer/hose assembly on your sink, you’ll definitely want the second item on the must-have kitchen gadget list.

2. Garbage Disposal

The average person doesn’t realize just how easy it is to clog a sink when rinsing plates and pans. Even the tiniest of particles can clog up a kitchen sink, requiring a plumber, and this is even truer when a garbage disposal isn’t installed. Unfortunately, even garbage disposals can clog and jam if you aren’t aware of what you can and can’t run through your sink. Here is where sites like Mr Garbage Disposal can help you learn how to unclog and reset your disposal to ensure optimum performance.

3. Food Processor

While some families have various sizes in food processors, just one really good appliance will get the job done. It is recommended that you buy a fairly large unit so that you don’t need to prepare large dishes in batches. This is one of the mistakes many people make. Yes, you will often want to simply process a few ingredients, but more often than not, you will need at least a two-quart capacity to serve your needs. For smaller amounts, you can chop or blend by hand in most cases.

4. Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker

While many working families have depended on those ever-popular slow cookers, a programmable electric pressure cooker is really so much more useful. Not only can you program them to start when you want to begin cooking your meal but you can also use them as slow cookers, which then eliminates the need for crock pots altogether.

5. Combination Microwave/Convection Oven

There are times when you need a microwave and other times that you need to use the oven but aren’t really in need of using all that power from your range. Why not use a combination microwave and convection oven that is actually two appliances for the price of one? Talk about space-saving efficiency, this is one appliance you really can’t live without! With this type of oven, you can quickly thaw and then bake in minimal time, which saves a great deal of electricity over the course of a year.

Have you ever had to live without a kitchen sprayer, a garbage disposal, or a microwave oven? If so, you know just how frustrating it can be to prepare and clean up after every meal. Keep these five kitchen gadgets you can’t live without in mind and before you know it, you’ll be spending less time working and more time enjoying each and every meal.

About

Welcome to Keener Living. My name is Bruce Keener. I established this blog in March 2010, a few months after retiring at the age of 57. My reason for having this blog is to share what I’ve learned over the years (and what I continue to learn). I also enjoy hearing and learning from you.